A $606 donation was made to Lake Family Resource Center, Domestic Violence Freedom House in the name of Kristin Raviotta on Thursday, Sept. 28. The funds were collected during a two-day car washing event sponsored by KMOB radio station in Clearlake.
The funds were originally intended to cover funeral costs for Raviotta, 44, of Clearlake, whose boyfriend, Wilbur H. Cope, has been accused of killing her; however, organizer DJ “Kevi Kev” Hammes reported that those expenses had been covered and it was decided that the money should be directed toward the prevention of domestic violence.
Several volunteers and members of the local business community contributed to the success of the fund-raiser, which was held on Saturday, Sept. 23, and Sunday, Sept. 24, at the radio station on Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake. Contributions were made by the following businesses and volunteers: Foods, Etc., Ray”s Food Place, Four Corners Builders Supply, Safeway, Kragen Auto Parts, Napa Auto Parts and Lake County Fire Protection District Volunteer Firefighters” Association, Sienna Paine, Stephanie Habgood, Briana Habgood, Andre Williams, Kevin Hammes, Freda Hammes, Ike Mitchell, Helen, Alaena Williams, T”keyah Denson, Stephanie Newman, Natalie Ayala and Isabel Azbil.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Lake County. Freedom House, operated by Lake Family Resource Center, a non-profit organization, is the only battered women”s shelter serving Lake County. It houses up to 25 women and child who are the victims of domestic violence.
Raviotta became a victim of domestic violence Sunday, Sept. 10 when she was allegedly shot by Cope, 36, of Clearlake. Cope”s shooting spree reportedly continued, resulting in the injury of three other people on Manchester Avenue in Clearlake. One victim, Terry Cain, 47, of Clearlake, remains hospitalized at UC Davis Medical Center. A fund to help the family cover medical expenses has been established at Westamerica Bank; donations may be taken to any Lake County branch or send contributions to PO Box 2080, Clearlake, CA 95422.
Cope, who is being charged with murder with the use of a firearm for the shooting death of Raviotta, as well as three counts of attempted murder with the use of a firearm for the shooting of Cain, his wife Michele Cain and Sharon England, has entered pleas of not guilty. He is being held at the Lake County Jail on bonds amounting to $515,000.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
